Athletics: Hallamshire go for honours at Lightwater Valley

Dave Archer

Published:00:00Saturday 10 January 2015

Andy Heyes (Hallamshire) will not be defending the Yorkshire Cross Country Championships today at Lightwater Valley, near Ripon.

Last year’s winner has been named in the British team for today’s Edinburgh International. Even without Heyes, Hallamshire can still turn out a powerful squad capable of equalling last year’s team bronze medal performance. Dave Archer, Andy Challenger, Tom Jenkins, Gavin Keight and Adam Dyson are all entered and Hallamshire are boosted by the inclusion of Steve Bayton, a Sheffield University student.

City of Sheffield defend their title in the u17 men’s race with James Gormley and Jonathon Shields, second and third last year, in the same age group again. Sheffield will also challenge at u15 level with David Byrne, Alfie Manthorpe, Joe Newman-Billington and Julian Slater.

Rotherham defend their women’s title. Laura Spence, Sam Johnson, Steph Burns and Robyn Lanceley were their counters last year and are all among the entries again. Hallamshire, third last year, should again do well spearheaded by Nicola Squires and Calli Thackery.

In last year’s u15 girls race, Alice Moore (Barnsley AC) won from Amelia Lancaster (Sheffield). Both are in the same age group again. Emily Simpson and Ana Garcia back up Lancaster giving Sheffield a chance of team success. Last year’s u13 winner, Tilly Simpson (Hallam) is also a contender.

At u13 level, Elizabeth Wilkinson, third last year, leads Hallamshire in defence of their team title. Rotherham’s Grace Harris should be well placed.

Sheffield’s EIS is the venue for the English Combined Events Championships this weekend. In the men’s heptathlon, former winner Daniel Gardiner is in a strong line up along with his Sheffield team mate Liam Ramsay, last year’s bronze medallist.

Junior bronze medallist last year, Aiden Davies (Doncaster) moves up to the senior ranks. In the women’s pentathlon, Karla Drew (Sheffield) goes for her third successive victory.